Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Portsmouth and Merrimack Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Hanover Street Chophouse

5.0

5 (4191)

$31 to $50

Steak

Manchester

About the restaurant

We are committed to serving food that will be creative, yet “classic,” service that will be impeccable but not intimidating, in an ambiance that will be elegant, yet comfortable and inviting, ensuring a dining experience that will be extraordinary and memorable!

Top review

Francis

Dined 3 days ago

Great food. Great service. Nice bar. Great cocktails. Steaks were next level. My son got the waygu special ribeye. A+. Apps fantastic! Carpaccio, glazed bacon and lump crab cocktail. Really great. Bread basket was fantastic. I got a crispy shrimp topper for my steak - so much shrimp I had to bring most of my steak home. The shrimp were next level! A little loud but worth it!

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5.0

5 (3083)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Please Note:
Online Reservations are for our Main indoor dining room ONLY. Please call us directly for Wine Bar and Terrace reservations.

We reserve the right to charge $20.00 per person cancelation fee, please call us by 12:00p.m.. the day of your reservation to avoid possible cancelation fees.

**Nestled like a hidden jewel in historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Massimo's warmly lit brick and stone grotto walls, fresh flowers and oil paintings of magnificent Italian landscapes transports guests to Florence, Rome and Venice. Guests relax in a richly appointed atmosphere beneath mahogany-beamed ceilings and private parties unwind in their own intimate dining room. Ristorante Massimo offers authentic dishes from all regions of Italy. From innovative concepts to timeless Italian favorites, our executive chef creates each dish with a distinctive, refined touch as found in some of the world's most celebrated restaurants. **limited dining room availability offered online**

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Massimo is an amazing restaurant owner and operator. It is rare in today’s restaurant world to find someone of Massimo’s style , professionalism, personality and leadership.

Cure Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1638)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Cure is located at the corner of State and Penhallow Streets in historic downtown Portsmouth, NH. We are within walking distance of Prescott Park, Strawberry Bank, Seacoast Repertory Theatre and Portsmouth Music Hall.
Our restaurant offers American Bistro cuisine, in a fine dining environment, at affordable prices. Cure is a great place for friends to meet, business functions, and romantic dining .

Top review

NickGold

Dined 7 days ago

Incredible experience and service from entering to exit! Lobster bisque and French onion were by far the best we've experienced in our foodie adventures! My duck breast cooked medium was near perfection. Loved the ambiance and service. The only critique and suggestion is serving cocktails on craft(single) large cubes to avoid the accelerated watering down of the alcohol. Aside from that, this place lived up to the locals reccomendation. Thanks for a great experience and memory!

Cotton

4.9

4.9 (4923)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Cotton features the cooking of award-winning chef/author/owner Jeffrey Paige. Located in Manchester's Historic Millyard District, Cotton is known for exceptional farm to table comfort food, friendly yet professional service, and an inviting, casual upscale atmosphere. It's the place the New York Times calls hip, named one of the best neighborhood restaurants in the Northeast by Bon Appetit Magazine and holds the distinct honor of Best Martinis in New Hampshire year after year by NH Magazine and The Union Leader.

RESERVATIONS:
Patio dining is available April through October. To request a patio table please note this when you make your reservation. Weather permitting, we will call early afternoon the day of your reservation to confirm if patio seating is available. We cannot guarantee specific seating at this time but we always do our best.

Top review

Mark

Dined 2 days ago

Our steaks were cooked perfectly. As usual the crab cakes and pot stickers were out of this world.

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Popular dish

Pan-Seared Scallops

Popular dish

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Shrimp

Popular dish

Crab Cakes

The Carriage House

4.9

4.9 (1149)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Rye

About the restaurant

The Carriage House, an oceanfront, modern New England restaurant and raw bar, is open at 2263 Ocean Boulevard on scenic Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Just outside Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire and one hour away from Portland, Maine or Boston, Massachusetts. Committed to honoring the restaurant’s rich traditions rooted in hospitality. Join us for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, sip a cocktail by our working fireplace, or take in the ocean views!

Top review

Dee

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely evening spent in the main dining room. The fire place always adds to the vibe on a chilly evening. Service was excellent. Oysters Rockefeller are the best I've ever had. Would love to see more Mocktails and some N/A wine on the drink menu. Other fine restaurants are beginning to make non alcoholic offerings more prevalent on their drink menus. My personal favorite is "Hand on Heart" n/a wines (4 varietals are curretly available). Always a nice time at The Carriage House.

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Silver Fountain Inn & Tea Parlor

4.8

4.8 (948)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Dover

About the restaurant

Serving High Tea which offers our fancy 3-tiered "Duchess" featuring delectable mini-sandwiches, scones w/Devonshire cream, finished with assorted desserts. For a full menu with other options please see our website - you can reserve from there as well. Come enjoy our relaxing atmosphere in our beautiful 1871 Victorian Bed & Breakfast in historic Dover, NH. We also sell gift certificates, tea pots & accessories, over 30 flavors of loose leaf tea, tea wallets and other fine gifts! Reservations are preferred to be able to offer optimum service and availability.

Top review

Kaitlyn

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent experience, my husband and I will be coming back!

Louie's Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (141)

$31 to $50

Italian

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

Louie's is a rustic Italian restaurant in the West End of Portsmouth, New Hampshire offering fresh pasta made in house, charcuterie, cheese, sourdough bread, whole animal butchery, farm vegetables, local produce. We have a thoughtfully curated wine list, craft cocktails and service that is friendly and knowledgeable. Situated between Kittery Maine, and downtown Portsmouth and just one hour away from Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts.

Top review

Juliana

Dined 5 days ago

One of the best if not the best place to eat in a Portsmouth!

Tinos

4.8

4.8 (1104)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Hampton

About the restaurant

Located in Hampton, NH, brings Mediterranean flavors to the Seacoast. Our menu highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients with house-made pasta, wood-grilled steaks, and locally sourced seafood. We are proud to be entirely seed oil free, frying exclusively in beef tallow and olive oil.

The bar features handcrafted cocktails, an expertly chosen wine list, and local brews. Whether you're out for a casual night or an elevated meal, Tinos offers a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy our warm, contemporary dining room or relax on the four-season patio with heaters, retractable screens, and a fire pit.

For a unique experience, try our Chef’s Table and enjoy a custom, multi-course meal prepared just for you.

Top review

JenniferGold

Dined on Apr 30, 2026

Party of 4. All ordered a different entree and all agreed it was delicious. Perfectly made Coco and nice selection of wines. Go! It’s great.

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4.8

4.8 (1258)

$31 to $50

American

Portsmouth

About the restaurant

We are excited to announce we have been awarded a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2025!

Located on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire, The Puddle Dock Restaurant proudly offers Modern Colonial feel and fare! Led by esteemed Executive Chef Derek Clough, the Puddle Dock Restaurant will take you back to Colonial America featuring English and American favorites, then snap you back to the present with our modern twists.

Chef Derek takes great pride in growing a lot of our vegetables, foraging our mushrooms, and presenting beauty for your palate. His care is evidence in some of our best-loved dishes, Yorkshire Pudding, Portuguese Salted Cod, Pan-Roasted Duck Breast, and our signature Hoe Cake. Be sure to save room for dessert! All our desserts are made in house - Cinnamon Rum Breading and Posset are among the favorites!

Top review

marla

Dined 2 days ago

We had McKenna for our server. She was very attentive and was especially helpful in trying to find food for my grandson who has severe food allergies. She was both personable and professional and I would ask for her again on my return to Puddle Dock. Food was wonderful. I always get the Cod because its the best. (I love the way they prepare it here). My husband had a chicken dish and my son had a lobster and monkfish pie. We all were delighted! So often when you go out to dinner it's just another night but not here. . .they make it memorable and very special.

Firefly American Bistro - New Hampshire

4.8

4.8 (2423)

$30 and under

American

Manchester

About the restaurant

Firefly Bistro & Bar is a casually upscale American bistro situated in the heart of Manchester"s downtown district. Firefly embraces the concept of comfort dining by offering inspired classic American fare in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Firefly's extensive wine list, craft beer selections, and creative cocktails compliment the time-honored yet innovative creations of Chef David Becker's seasonal menus, which burst with flavors from around the world. The uptown atmosphere is accentuated by downtown hospitality and friendly, professional service.

Top review

Dave

Dined 3 days ago

Food was superb. Alot of choices on the menu, both food and cocktails. Everything was cooked perfectly. Service was excellent! We've been here several times. Highly recommended.

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Popular dish

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Popular dish

steak frites

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